Nova Credit

Nova Credit is a fintech platform that translates your credit history from your home country into a US credit report, making it possible to qualify for US bank accounts and business credit cards without a US credit score. For European founders building US LLCs, it bridges the gap between zero US financial history and lender requirements.

What Is Nova Credit?

Nova Credit is a third-party service that verifies and converts your international credit history into a format US lenders recognize. It pulls payment records, accounts, and credit behaviour from your home country's credit bureaus, then produces a US credit report that reflects your actual financial reliability, even if you've never had a US credit card or loan.

Think of it as a translator: you've been paying bills on time in Germany for five years, but a US bank sees a blank slate. Nova Credit takes that German credit history, validates it through official channels, and tells the US lender, "This person has a solid track record."

Why Non-US Founders Need It

When you set up a US LLC as a non-resident, most US banks and credit card issuers rely on your credit score. Since you have none, you hit a wall. Traditional lenders want an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) or SSN, plus proof of creditworthiness. Nova Credit solves half of that puzzle by providing proof.

The alternative is building US credit from scratch: get a secured credit card, deposit USD 500-2000, wait 6-12 months, then apply for a real card. Nova Credit compresses that timeline and shows lenders you're already responsible.

How It Works in the US LLC Context

Here's a typical path for a European founder:

• You apply for an ITIN (no visa needed; most founders use a tax professional or apply via mail with Form W-7).
• You form a US LLC, often in Wyoming for cost and privacy.
• You approach a US bank (Mercury, Relay, or Wise for business accounts) with your ITIN and EIN (Employer Identification Number).
• The bank may ask about credit history. Nova Credit steps in: you submit your international credit files, Nova retrieves your home-country credit bureau data, and you receive a portable credit report.
• Armed with a Nova report, you're far more likely to open the account and qualify for a business credit card from issuers like Brex or Capital One.

Real Example

Sarah, a Danish SaaS founder, formed a Delaware LLC and obtained an ITIN. She opened a Mercury business account using her EIN. Four months later, when she applied for a Brex business card to separate expenses, Brex requested credit verification. Rather than wait six months for a US credit history, Sarah used Nova Credit, which pulled her Danish credit report showing five years of clean payment history. Brex approved her within days.

Important Limitations

Nova Credit is powerful but not magic. It works best in countries with mature credit-reporting infrastructure: EU nations, UK, Canada, Australia, and parts of Asia. It cannot create credit where none exists. If you have poor credit at home, a Nova report won't help; if you have no credit history anywhere, you'll still need the secured-card route.

Also, Nova Credit improves your odds at banks and card issuers that recognize its reports, but not all do. Some lenders ignore international history entirely and demand US credit history or a cosigner. It's a tool, not a guarantee.

Cost and Timeline

Nova Credit charges a one-time fee (typically USD 50-150 depending on the country and report type). The process takes 2-7 business days. Your report is valid for most lending decisions for 12 months, though some lenders may ask for a refresh if circumstances change.

How Founders Credit Fits In

When you work with Founders Credit for your US LLC setup, we guide you through the full sequence: ITIN, EIN, banking, and credit strategy. We often recommend Nova Credit as part of the plan because it removes friction at the bank and card-issuer stage. We don't issue the Nova report ourselves, but we advise when to use it and which lenders typically accept it, saving you time on dead ends.

Alternatives

If Nova Credit isn't available in your country or you prefer not to use it, the main alternative is the secured credit card path. You deposit USD 500 with a US bank (often Capital One, Discover, or Chime), use the card responsibly for 6-12 months, and graduate to an unsecured card and business credit. It's slower but requires no third-party service and works universally.

Frequently asked questions